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Turkish Press Review, 01-09-07Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>07.09.01Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] NEW JUDICIAL YEAR BEGINSThe opening ceremony of the 2001-2002 Judicial Year was held at the Middle East Technical University (METU) Culture and Congress Center yesterday. The Chief Justice of the Court of Cassation, Sami Selcuk delivered the inauguration speech. Wishing the new judicial year to bring justice , peace and happiness to the country and humanity, Selcuk pointed to the importance of the juridical independence. Addressing the corruption incidents in Turkey, Selcuk said, "Our people can not finance corruption any more. We can not carry this burden." The members of the jurisdiction also paid a visit to the Ataturk' s Mausolem in the afternoon. /Turkiye/[02] SEZER'S MESSAGEPresident Ahmet Necdet Sezer sent a message to Sami Selcuk, the Chief Justice of the Court of Cassation to mark the beginning of the 2001-2002 Judicial Year. Stressing that any interference and pressure on the judiciary harm the principle of rule of law, Sezer said,"People or institutions who believe themselves above the law are a great danger for democracy." Sezer also pointed to the importance of the constitutional amendments, and added, "It is time for the amendments in the Constitution to meet the requirements of the nation. These will also coincide with the requirements of the EU membership process." Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and the True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller also issued messages for the opening of the new judicial year. /Turkiye/[03] CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM PACKAGE PRESENTEDThe Constitutional reform package which foresees amendments to the 37 articles of the Constitution was presented to the Bureau of the Parliament. The proposal was signed by 298 parliamentarians from both ruling and opposition parties. The Speaker of the Parliament, Omer Izgi is expected to convene the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) for an extraordinary session on Sep. 17 to debate the proposal. /Turkiye/[04] ANKARA WARNED THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ABOUT CYPRUSThe European Parliament's ratification of the report that defines Turkey as an occupying force in Cyprus and that the annexation of the northern part of the island may be the end of Turkey's dream for full membership led to intense activity in Ankara. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassodor Faruk Logoglu, stated that Turkey will take counter measures in accordance with the steps EU will take for the EU membership of Southern Cyprus. Logoglu said "We are ready to work with the UN". After this statement Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem, Undersecretary Faruk Logoglu and Deputy Underesecretary Ugur Ziyal evaluated the recent events regarding Cyprus. /Hürriyet/[05] TENSION DUE TO THE CYPRUS REPORTOn the day the Cyprus report was accepted by the European Parliament, the United Nations' (UN) Special Representative on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto also has invited the parties to New York on September 12th in spite of all Turkey's warnings and created displeasure in Turkey. The Turkish side, who has rejected the UN's invitation, expects the UN to carry out initiatives within the framework of "good will mission" to solve the latest problems in finding a common ground. /Cumhuriyet/[06] KOREAN COMMANDER IN TURKEYNorth Korean Republic Land Forces Commander Gen. Kil Hyoung Bo paid a visit to his Turkish counterpart Gen. Hilmi Ozkok yesterday. After a meeting, Gen. Kil was decorated with a Medal of Honor by Gen. Ozkok. Gen. Kil is expected to proceed to Istanbul today to visit the First Army Commander Gen. Cetin Dogan. /Turkiye/[07] TURKISH, ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI JOURNALISTS TO MEETTurkish, Azeri and Armenian journalists will meet this weekend in the Armenian capital Yerevan to discuss the media's role in the solution of regional problems and enhancement of relations with the people. Sponsored by the Turkish Democracy Foundation (TDV) and Soros Foundation, the workshop will start on Friday and last for three days. The journalists have already met twice, once in Baku and then in Ankara. The main topic will be the role of the press in the solution of the problems in Caucasia, and prejudices among people. /Turkish Daily News/[08] WORLD BANK DELEGATION IN TURKEYA team of World Bank experts embarked on a mission in Turkey on Sep. 4 to assess the impact of the economic crisis on the corporate sector, World Bank sources said yesterday. The Corporate Sector Impact Assessment Mission headed by Paul Siegelbaum plans to stay in Ankara until Sep. 8, during which time the experts will have consulted with officials from the government and vocational organizations over possible ways to assist Turkey's ailing sector. Upon its return to Washington, the Corporate Sector Impact Assessment Mission will prepare a report on its observations in Turkey. Discussions will continue during the World Bank-IMF annual meetings scheduled to start at the end of September. /Turkish Daily News/[09] TREASURY TO HOLD A SERIES OF PANELSThe Treasury will go on a promotion tour that will consist of the American and the European finance centers on September 10th-20th. During the meetings to be attended by the foreign portfolio investors, the latest developments in the Turkish economy and foreign financing strategies will be explained. High-ranking officials from the Treasury Undersecretariat, Central Bank and the Banking Regulation and Supervision Board will attend the tour, in which State Minister Kemal Dervis will deliver a speech during the "Investor Meeting" on September 17th in London. Dervis will also attend the international meeting about the "Capital Markets and Investment in Turkey" to be organized by the Foreign Economic Relations and the Turco- English Committee in London on September 18th and will hold official meetings with the English economy officials. The Turkish delegation chaired by Dervis will also attend the "IMF and the World Bank's Annual Meetings" to be held in Washington on September 29th-30th. In addition, the delegation will make presentations and promotions for the international financial circles and the investors in the US until October 3rd. /Sabah/[10] AKBAYGIL'S STATEMENTChairman of the Executive Board of the Union of Turkish Banks, Akin Akbaygil, said first the Turkish economy, and then the credibility of Turkish banks should be improved on the international arena so the problems of the manufacturing industry can be solved. During the meeting in which the problems of the Union of Turkish Banks and the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) were discussed, Akbaygil said they will work with the manufacturing industry so the exports can be supported and the production can be increased. During the meeting, it was decided to establish a committee in order to create much more resources for exports, to increase the international competition and to decrease the cost of resources. /Cumhuriyet/[11] NAZARBAYEV RECEIVES ALPThe famous Turkish architect Ahmet Vefik Alp attended the celebrations organized on the 10th anniversary of Kazakhstan's Independence Day. Alp, who was received by Kazakhstan's President Nazarbayev in the capital city Astana, mentioned his projects about Astana and gave a conference titled "Architecture and City Planning." In addition, Alp was among the jury members who evaluated the projects prepared by the domestic and foreign city planners for Astana. Nazarbayev has received Alp at the Presidential Palace and took his opinion about the new capital's city planning and the projects. Meanwhile, Alp presented the "Eco-skyscraper" project that he has prepared for Astana. /Sabah/[12] PANEL TO BE HELD BY THE ANTI-CORRUPTION COUNCILThe "Anti-Corruption Council", established by the Treasury Undersecretariat, the Prime Ministry's Inspection Council, together with the World Bank will organize a panel on the fight against corruption on September 21st. During the panel, officials from the World Bank will inform the Turkish officials the stage reached concerning struggle against the corruption in Hong Kong and Singapore. During the first day of the panel, which will be attended mostly by the non-governmental organizations, Deputy Chairman of the World Bank, Johannes Linn, State Minister Faruk Bal, Minister of Justice, Hikmet Sami Turk, and the Minister of the Interior, Rustu Kazim Yucelen, will deliver opening speeches. /Milliyet/[13] RUIZ ON TURKISH ECONOMYDeputy Chairman of Fiat Auto responsible for Sale and Marketing, Juan Jose Diaz Ruiz, said the economic crisis in Turkey has not changed anything about their strategies concerning Turkey. Diaz Ruiz said, "The Doblo brand automobiles, which are produced in Turkey and exported abroad, have been very successful. We believe in the Turkish economy's strength and capacity and that it will overcome the crisis." /Milliyet/[14] CHINA INCLUDES TURKEY ON THE LIST OF TOP PRIORITY NATIONS FOR TOURISMAfter the compromise for permission to the ship "Varyag" to pass through the Straits for a long journey to China to be used as an entertainment ship, China keeps her promise and includes Turkey on the list of top priority countries for tourism. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Faruk Logoglu, informed the press that a delegation from the Chinese Ministry of Tourism plans to visit Turkey in the forthcoming days. In the press statement, it is said that China already informed Turkey on her decision to include them on the list of top priority countries in tourism. The statement reads: "The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide the necessary coordination with the Chinese tourism institutions and companies. A Chinese delegation is to visit Turkey to activate the decision." /Turkish Daily News/[15] INFORMATICS FAIR IS PRAISED BY OFFICIALSThe Ministries of the involved banks of the US and Germany have been sponsors to make Turkey the "informatics bridge." One of the most interesting aspects of the Informatics Fair, which has been open for a few days, is the increasing number of visitors. The demands of the companies, which consider Turkey as a growing market, and the involved Ministries, which were effective in bringing these companies to Turkey, play an important role in this increase. For example, the official sponsor of the German companies are the Federal Economy and Technology Ministry and the German Commercial Fair and the Industry Union. Meanwhile, the Information Technologies called "BITKOM" and "Telecommunication and New Media Federal Union" are also sponsors. Meanwhile, the foreign partner of the Informatics Fair, organized in Turkey, stated that this fair is organized in our region only in Turkey and that it cannot be taken to another near country. During the meetings, which were also attended by foreign press members, the officials praised the informatics world in Turkey and gave promising signals for the coming years. /Cumhuriyet/[16] FOREIGN CIRCLES ON THE INFORMATICS FAIRThe foreign companies, which think that the Turkish market is advantageous following the economic crisis, take a great attention in the Informatics Fair. This year 100 companies from 15 countries have attended the fair. The commercial attachés of the US within the Eurasia region also attended the fair with a delegation of 70 people to evaluate the commercial potential in the region. In addition, Britain and Israel consider Turkey as a very important link in the region. 11 British companies, which attended the fair with the support of their government, stated that the Turkish market has become advantageous for investment following the crisis. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Israeli Software Companies Union, Amiram Shore, said, "Israel is very interested in cooperating with Turkey. Turkey has a very young population. It is very rich in terms of man power. In addition, we are neighbors."/ Cumhuriyet/[17] GERMANY IS TOP CUSTOMERGermany, playing a leading role in the world's automotive market, became the top buyer of Turkish automotive products in the first eight months of this year, far ahead of other buyers. Germany purchased automotive products worth $663.49 million from Turkey in the first eight months of this year, followed by France and Italy. Iran's purchases made an extraordinary rise in the same period of 441 percent. /Turkish News/[18] THE GUIDE ABOUT TURKEY OF GEO PRINTED 200 THOUSAND PIECESTurkey is on the cover of the German worldwide known travel and geography magazine "GEO Saison" in its September issue. The periodical reserved 30 pages about Turkey. It also issued a very informative "Turkey" guide. According to GEO, the ideal months to visit Turkey are April, May, June, September and October. /Hürriyet/[19] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS[20] DENKTAS IS RIGHT BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)Columnist Ferai Tinc comments on the decision of Denktas not to attend the talks on Cyprus until a common discussion background is ready. A summary of her column is as follows:"As a reporter following the events in Cyprus for more than 20 years I know this for certain that what is important for the sides is not solving the issue but not appearing to be the inransigent party. The same goes for both the Turkish and Greek Cypriots. As this was the case why did Denktas reject the invitation of UN Secretary General's Special Envoy Alvaro De Soto for resuming negotiations on September 12 when both Turkey and the Greek Cypriot Administration are approaching crossroads during the EU process? First of all we have to clarify one point and that is, Denktas did not reject the call for negotiations. He was against the date of the talks. He believed it would be better if the talks were not rushed. Indicating that he could resume talks when the hitches on the way were overcome, Denktas is at a different point today than his previous approach of not attending the talks. I have criticised negative stances adopted by Denktas all along. However, this time we are faced with a different situation. First, Alvaro De Soto was far from creating a climate of trust in the Turkish side during his shuttle diplomacy. When the UN representative declared that there was a common ground between the sides, Denktas was stating that such a background had not been established as yet. The UN Representative let alone giving guarantees on accepting both sides as equal parties , but also left Denktas's initiative without a reply. TRNC President expressed his wish to talk with Greek Cypriot Administation Leader Klerides tete-a-tete in secret to Alvaro De Soto. Denktas's request is left hanging in the air. Either De Soto did not convey Denktas's request to Klerides or as the Greek Cypriot Leader did not favour such a meeting he did not see it fit to record it. The UN Special Representative is calling Denktas to proximity talks on the day when the EU Parliament announced that it would admit the Greek Cypriot Administration as a full member even if the Cyprus problem is not solved. They are telling the Greek Cypriots that they do not have to work for a solution, they will be admitted to the EU anyhow and the Turks would enter as a minority. Then turning around to the other side they are calling upon the Turkish Cypriots to come to the table. The mistrust created by the EU report on the Turkish side should be compensated by the UN. We are in favour of a solution in Cyprus but not to one which would reduce Turks to a minority status." [21] ALARM BELLS IN CYPRUS BY ALI SIRMEN (CUMHURIYET)Columnist Ali Sirmen comments on the Cyprus report prepared by Luxembourg socialist representative Jacques Poos has prepared. A summary of his column is as follows:"Those describing the Cyprus report penned by EU socialist deputy from Luxembourg Jacques Poos and accepted by a great majority as 'scandalous' are correct. The report is so biased that it ignored the amendment draft which has foreseen to refer to the pressures on the Turkish side leading to the 1974 intervention. It is apparent that such a report 'full of hate will' not contribute to the the solution of the Cyprus problem, but will hamper a solution to be reached between the parties. In fact, both Athens and Nicosia have decided to delay reaching a settlement before the Greek Cypriot Administration enters the EU. Even though Alvaro de Soto has made an announcement giving the impression that TRNC President Denktas has rejected his call for negotiations in April , the fact is Greek Cypriot Administration Leader Klerides has not agreed negotiating any of the main issues and did not accept the 'principle of equality' which is of vital importance to Denktas. The talks cannot take place due to Klerides' approach. No one should expect meaningful negotiations between the sides from now on. The Greek Cypriot side will seem to favour attending the talks but will not discuss any of the issues which are essential to reach a solution. If the Greek or Greek-Cypriot side attend serious talks following the recent report adopted by the EU they must be out of their minds. Why should they come to the table after EU promised them that all their requests will be secured following their admittance to the EU? It should come as no surprise to anyone that the report prepared by Jacques Poos is accepted by an overwhelming majority. Turkey's negative image, the successful propaganda of 'Turkey's unacceptable invasion' slogan, finally, the misconception that Europeans are the superior people who can bring solutions to the problems of other countries rather than acting with modesty and commonsense are a few of the factors which lead to the acceptance of this report by such a crushing majority. If we ask what may happen next, the answer is that European Parliament decisions are not binding but consultative. Technically there is not much to do. However, it would be wrong to do nothing depending on this characteristic of the decision. Threatening Turkey to forget her dream of entering the EU if she does not do what is imposed on the issue does not hold much ground. We should know that even if we accept their requests on the issue, it is still very hard for Turkey to enter the EU. However we have to realize one point clearly. We have to present new views on the issue, and correct the wrong impression left on everyone no matter how right are. Otherwise the alarm bells will toll for Cyprus in the coming days and lead Turkey into new impasses. " Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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